Retreating at Kevala Retreat

Please familiarize yourself with all the information on
this and linked pages before contacting us about retreats here.

Lodging for retreatants now includes the
hermitage in the back valley, one canvas cabin, a guest room in the Guest
House, and a small "garden hermitage" near the Guest House. The latter two
are primarily for those with mobility limitations or other needs to be
close to central facilities. The other dwellings (details)
require walking up and down our hills and are more intimate with the
valley's nature. Guest House facilities include kitchen, bathrooms &
showers, laundry, library, meeting room, and porches.

Cost

There is no specific charge for retreats here. However, Kevala Retreat
subsists on donations and volunteer
labor. Generosity is an important aspect of Dhamma practice. Contributing
to grounds upkeep can be another. Please consider a generous contribution
that is respectful both of what you have received and of your current
means.

Retreat overview & guidelines

Offering space, support, and guidance for personal
retreat is important in Kevala Retreat's long-term vision. Our
infrastructure is geared more for solo retreats than group retreats. We
try to keep things simple, yet safe and adequate. Sufficient amenities are
now on-site. You are responsible for your own food. The shared kitchen in
the Guest House is available for food storage and cooking. You will be
directed where to put food when you arrive. You may be navigating one or
more other retreatants during your retreat. If you can bring some
pre-prepared foods that just need to be heated up it makes the shared
kitchen experience easier. We ask that a vegetarian diet be observed while
visiting Kevala Retreat.

We encourage intelligence & creativity in designing a retreat to meet
your own needs & circumstances. It can include meditation, movement
practices (e.g. qigong), study, journaling, chores & work, and walks
in the woods. Or, it might be primarily all-day meditation. Regular
consultations with Santikaro or Jo Marie are encouraged. We endeavor to
support you in mindfully, skillfully cultivating a well-rounded path
through immersion in Dhamma. (We do not
encourage outside excursions during your retreat.)

What to Bring & Not Bring

You are responsible for supplying

Your own food.

Towel.

A sleeping bag and pillow if staying in a canvas cabin or woodland
hermitage (we have loaner sleeping bags if needed, then bring a
sheet).

Personal toiletries, including insect repellent
(non-toxic/non-insecticide recommended). All soaps and shampoos must
be non-detergent based as they go directly into the ground water
(castille, olive oil, or other natural products are acceptable.)

Outdoor clothing appropriate for the season, including rugged shoes
and rain gear.

Flashlight, batteries, and alarm clock if needed.

Water bottle

Please do not bring

Drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products

Companion animals (unless special arrangements are made - under
certain special circumstances dogs, horses, or other companion animals
may accompany their human on retreat)

Getting here

Air: The La Crosse airport (40
minutes from us) is served 3 times each day by American (via Chicago) and
Delta (via Minneapolis). Generally, we can meet you at airport if you
check with us before booking.

Bus or train: Greyhound has
multiple trips between Chicago and Minneapolis. Amtrak's Empire Builder is
once a day each direction. Both stop in Tomah, WI, 15 miles away.

If you would like to attend a group retreat with Santikaro, please go to
the retreat page.

Long-Term Practice

Kevala Retreat can host long-term retreats and residency when there is a
good fit. For both, the starting point is for you and us to develop
familiarity with one another. Long stays will depend on a compatible
understandings of Buddha-Dhamma, practice, and the lifestyle at Kevala
Retreat. We will ask you to come for a visit or personal retreat as the
first step, along with email and phone communications. We look forward to
exploring the options for Dhamma-centered life and service.